Geneva at Madison
-- What: Premier Athletic Conference game
-- When: 7 p.m., today
-- Where: Blue Streak Memorial Stadium
-- Records: Madison 5-2 (3-1 PAC), Geneva 3-4 (1-3)
-- What to watch: This contest between nextdoor-neighbor rivals is always hard fought, such as last year’s 28-6 Madison win at Spire Institute that was a lot closer than the score indicates.
The Eagles are out of the conference picture, but they can play a spoiler’s role. Madison is one game behind league-leading Riverside in the PAC, and is ranked eighth in this week’s Division II, Region 3 computer ratings. So a loss to the Eagles would cripple both goals.
Madison is coming off a 48-24 loss at South last week, a game in which the Blue Streaks turned the ball over six times, including the first four possessions of the third quarter. Ball security will be a big focus in this game.
Madison has ample weapons, led by senior RB Brandon Davis, who is on pace for a 1,000-yard season. QB Austin Burkholder and WR Aaron Petruccelli are other top playmakers.
Geneva’s offense is led by RB Aaron Rossi, also on pace for 1,000 yards rushing. QB Brandon Pakkela and WR Austin Clutter are a nice passing combo. Clutter is also a top-notch return man, having returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last week in a loss to Chardon.
Can Geneva blow up the Blue Streaks’ conference and playoff hopes in one strike?
n Way We See It: Madison — Mark Podolski, Theresa Neuhoff Audia, Guy Cipriano, Howard Primer, John Kampf, Cory Schuett, Jay Kron, Chris Lillstrung, the Masked MarvelChagrin Falls at West Geauga
-- What: CVC Chagrin Division game
-- When: 7 p.m., Friday
-- Where: Howell Field
-- Records: Chagrin Falls 5-2 (3-1 CVC), West Geauga 6-1 (4-0)
-- What to watch: West Geauga is in the driver’s seat in the CVC Chagrin Division. This is must-win for the Tigers, who would likely fall out of conference contention with a second league loss.
Both teams are in the thick of the playoff picture, too. West G is third in Division III, Region 7. Chagrin is first in Division IV, Region 11. Neither team loses playoff hopes with a loss.
West Geauga has gotten a phenomenal season from senior quarterback Connor Krouse, who ran for more than 200 yards in a win over Orange last week and scored four touchdowns. RB Abdul Levy has missed a few games, but freshman Carmen Engolia is a nice backup.
West Geauga doesn’t throw a ton, but doesn’t have to in order to win.
Chagrin Falls defeated Harvey, 55-20, last week to stay on West Geauga’s heels. Young QB Michael Brigeman has played well after taking the reins of the offense. Receiver Matt Iammarino is having another all-Ohio campaign. Michael Munday is a solid two-way player.
West Geauga’s best bet is to limit Iammarino from having a monster game. Chagrin will focus on stopping, or at least slowing down, Krouse.Mentor at Solon
-- What: NOC River Division game
-- When: 7 p.m., Friday
-- Where: Stewart Field
-- Records: Mentor 6-1 (2-0 NOC), Solon 4-3 (1-1)
-- What to watch: Games don’t come much bigger than this. Mentor wants to win its fifth straight after a Week 2 loss to St. Ignatius, and Solon is fighting for its Division I, Region 1 playoff life.
Mentor is fifth in the Region 1 computer ratings, while Solon is 13th. Another loss and the Comets might be in trouble in Week 11.
Mentor has played exceptionally well of late on both sides of the ball. The offense is piling up points behind dual-threat QB Conner Krizancic and a plethora of offensive weapons.
Mentor’s defense, except for a hiccup against Brush and a loss to St. Ignatius, has been lockdown. The front seven, including ends Von Maddox and Kent Berger, played physical ball in shutting down Brunswick’s running game last week in a 48-3 win.
Solon is coming off a 42-14 loss to undefeated Hudson. Kollyn Crenshaw is a playmaker at receiver and kick returner.
The Comets will be hard-pressed to keep up with Mentor’s high-scoring pace.Riverside at Chardon
-- What: Premier Athletic Conference game
-- When: 7 p.m., Friday
-- Where: Memorial Field
-- Records: Riverside 5-2 (3-0 PAC), Chardon 4-3 (2-1 PAC)
-- What to watch: This is going to be a tough, physical game, with the Beavers hoping to take another step toward a league title and the Hilltoppers hoping to stave off league elimination.
In the playoff picture, Riverside is 10th in Division II, Region 3, while Chardon is 11th in Division III, Region 7. The winner gets a big boost.
Riverside has won five games in a row since losing its first two of the season. The return of quarterback Maxx Brubaker has fueled the offense, and gives the Beavers a phenomenal pass-run combo along with bullish RB Marcus Jones.
Chardon is coming off a big win over Geneva in which it trailed, 20-3, in the first quarter. Patrick Sullivan is a rapidly maturing quarterback in the run-oriented offense. RBs Ben Cyvas and Joe Connick can eat up the yards offensively.
Expect Riverside to sell out to stop the run and force Sullivan to throw more. Riverside needs to force third-and-long situations.
Chardon is strong in its front seven. The Hilltoppers are pretty good at slowing down run games. Can they limit Brubaker, too? That’s the key.Aurora at Perry
-- What: CVC Chagrin Division game
-- When: 7 p.m., Friday
-- Where: Alumni Stadium
-- Records: Aurora 6-1 (3-1), Perry 4-3 (2-2)
-- What to watch: The best the Pirates can hope for in the CVC Chagrin is probably a tie — but they can ruin Aurora’s hopes and also give themselves a huge computer points boost with a win against Aurora.
Aurora is eighth in Division III, Region 7. A loss would cripple their playoff chances. Perry is eighth in Division IV, Region 11. The Pirates likely need to win two of their final three or all three to be playoff bound.
The Pirates played well last week against Kenston, before losing 19-15. Can the youthful team bounce back emotionally after that tough loss?
Perry has a strong dual-threat QB in Ryan Kahoun and a fine stable of running backs. The offensive and defensive lines are big and strong. Perry’s defense played well against a fast-paced Kenston team last week.
Aurora is big and physical on both sides of the ball. QB George Bollas is a strong runner who ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in a 61-7 win over Wickliffe last week.
The key will be how well Perry does on the lines. There is some youth there. Can the Pirates match the Greenmen’s physical play?